Tophole opening apparatus

ABSTRACT

A chuck doe use with a blast furnace taphole-opening drill and taphole-opening tools having respective flanged shanks. The chuck body includes a first axial bore for receiving the drill shankpiece, a slotted second axial bore for receiving a flanged tool shank, and a member for releasably securing the tool with the chuck. There is also a tool guide element facilitating removal and replacement of tools.

United States Patent [1 1 Broom [111 3,862,750 1 Jan. 28, 1975 1 TOPHOLE OPENING APPARATUS [75] Inventor: Gilbert R. Broom, Gary, 1nd.

[731 Assignee: lnland Steel Company, Chicago, 111.

[22] Filed: Oct. 17, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 298,269

[52] U.S. Cl. 266/42, 279/89 [51] Int. Cl C2lb 7/12 [58] Field of Search 266/42; 279/89, 94;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Gessert 287/119 Scott 279/97 X 2,894,759 7/1959 De Bruin 279/97 3,030,121 4/1962 Scott 279/97 3,190,629 6/1965 Draper 266/42 3,507,484 4/1970 Honda 266/42 3,516,651 6/1970 Honda 266/42 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 145,925 6/1954 Sweden l. 279/89 Primary Examiner-Roy Lake Assistant Examiner-Paul A. Bell Attorney, Agent, or F irmMerriam, Marshall, S me & K1056 [57] ABSTRACT Achnckjor use with a blast furnace taphole-opening drill and taphole-opening tools having respective flanged shanks. The chuck body includes a first axial bore for receiving the drill shankpiece, a slotted second axial bore for receiving a flanged tool shank. and a member for releasably securing the tool with the chuck. There is also a tool guide element facilitating removal and replacement of tools.

10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEI] JAN 2 8 I975 SHEET 10F 2 PATENTED JAN 2 8 I975 SHEEI 2- UP 2 FIG.4

l 'MIAPHOLE OPENINQWAPPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I The present invention relates generally to metallurgic u na e .tmqlezqnsni a annasa usaa a rs PEI- ticularly to a drill chuck for use with a percussion drill and taphole-opening tools having respective flanged shank portions.

Metallurgical furnaces, such as blast furnaces, are.

sumption of the bit in the molten metal.

Once the taphole has been drilled to the skull, it is ordinarily the practice to remove the entire drilling apparatus and to complete the opening of the taphole manually, through use of a long poking bar. Such poking bars are similarly often used to manually re-open a taphole which has become occluded by coke and slag in the course of the molten metal pouring operation. Manual opening and re-opening of the taphole is quite physically demanding and time-consuming and constitutes an enormous hazard to workmen who are necessarily intimately exposed to molten metal escaping from the taphole.

Numerous attempts have been made to eliminate the need for manual opening and re-opening of tapholes and the attendant hazards. U.S. Pat. No. 3,450,399, for example, proposes the use of costly oxygen blowpipe apparatus to burn out refractory material remaining in the taphole after drilling. A number of patents, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 1,276,251 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,507,484, have proposed that a poking bar tool might be substituted for and replace a drill bit on the drill, once initial drilling is effected. Taphole-opening drills are not constructed in a manner permitting such substitution without expending substantial amounts of time, and none of these latter patent disclosures suggest any efficient. method for effecting such substitution.

According to the present invention, a chuck is provided for use with the percussion drill ordinarily employed for drilling the refractory materials from furnace. This chuck permits the quick substitution of an inexpensive taping bar for a costly drill bit, allowing for use of the percussion drill apparatus in mechanically completing the taphole opening procedure. There is further provided a guide element which facilitates the easy removal and replacement of taphole-opening drill bits and poking bars.

The chuck of the invention includes a chuck body with first axial bore for receiving a drill shankpiece, a slotted second axial bore for receiving a flanged shank portion of a taphole-opening tool such as a drill bit or a poking bar, and apparatus for releasably securing such a tool in the chuck.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The present invention will be better understood when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 isa schematic sideelevational view of tapholeopening apparatus including an embodiment drill chuck of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side elevationvie-w similar to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a drill chuck of the present invention together with taphole-opening tools having a flanged shank;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 44 of FIG. 3; 1

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4; and .1.

FIG. 6 illustrates a tool guide member as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In FIGS. 1 and 2, numeral 10 generally designates av blast furnace, partly shown, having a taphole 11 through which molten metal may exit into a runner trough 12 disposed in surrounding floor 13. During blast furnace operation, taphole 11 contains a plug 14 of refractory material. When withdrawal of molten metal from furnace 10 is desired, all or part of plug 14 is removed from taphole ll.

Numeral 15 generally designates taphole-opening apparatus comprising a percussion drill l6 movably mounted on a rail 17. Standard hydraulic means (not shown) are employed to move rail 17 to and from the area immediately adjacent taphole 11. Similarly, motor means (not shown) are employed to move drill 16 along rail 17, toward and away from taphole ll.

Positioned on and about a threaded s hankpiece 18 of drill 16 is an embodiment ofa chuck 19 constructed according to the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 1, chuck 19 functions in releasably securing a taphole opening drill bit tool 20 to drill l6. Drill bit 20 is supported at a point along its length by a slotted guide member 20a (see FIG. 6) depending from rail 17.

In the course of drilling operation, drill 16 rotates. bit 20 and is advanced along rail 17 toward taphole 11 to drill away refractory material from plug 14 until the skull portion, designated generally at 21, is reached. Drill 16 with bit.20 is then withdrawn and rail .17 is swung away from the immediate taphole area.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, chuck 19 further functions to releasably secure a taphole-opening poking bar tool 22 which is employed in breaking through skull 21. In the course of this breaking through operation rail 17 is again positioned-adjacent taphole 11, drill 16 is advanced along rail 17 thus moving poking bar 22 to break through'skull 21. When such a breakthrough is effected, poking bar 22 is withdrawn from taphole l1 and rail 17 is again swung away from the immediate taphole area. I

In the event that coke and slag occlude taphole 11 in the course of the molten metal pouring procedure, rail 17 may again be swung into place adjacent taphole 11 and poking bar 22 may be employed to re-open the .occluded taphole.

Chuck 19 is shown ingreater detail .in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, FIG. 3 illustrating the relationship between chuck l9 and taphole opening tools such as drill bit 20 and poking bar 22.

Drill bit 20 comprises a lengthy tubular shaft 23 having an axial bore 24 through which air may pass during drilling. Shaft 23 includes a fluted portion 25 at one end and a shank portion 26 at the other. Bits suitable for use with the apparatus of the present invention include a flange or lug element 27 positioned at the shank portion 26 of shaft 23. Poking bar 22 similarly comprises a lengthy solid shaft 28 including a shank portion 29 at one end, which shank portion is provided with a flange or lug element 30.

The generally cylindrical body 31 of chuck 19 is provided at one end thereof with a longitudinally extending first axial bore 32 in which a threaded shankpiece 18 of a drill 16 may be securely accomodated. At the opposite end of chuck body 31 is another or second longitudinally extending axial bore 33 in which a shank portion of a tool may be disposed. A longitudinally extending slot 34 extends within chuck body 31 from its surface to intersect second bore 33. Slot 34 is preferably diminsionally longitudinally co-extensive with second axial bore 33. Slot 34 accomodates passage of the flange of a flanged shank as the shank is inserted and/or removed from bore 33.

Intermediate, and of a lesser diameter than, bores 32 and 33 is axial bore 35 which accomodates passage of air from shankpiece 18 to a tubular bit 20 when such a bit is received in bore 33.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, means are provided for releasably securing a flanged shank of a tapholeopening tool within bore 33 of chuck 19. In the embodiment illustrated, a lateral slot 36 extends traversely of chuck body 31 from the surface thereof to intersect at least a portion of bore 33. Disposable in slot 36 is a key element 37 which is preferably pivotally mounted, about key member opening 38 at one of its ends, by means of a pin 39, mounted in chuck body 31, perpendicularly traversing slot 36. Key element 37, when thus pivotally mounted, is movable from a first position (shown by phantom lines in FIG. wherein it obstructs at least a portion of longitudinal slot 34, to a second position wherein it does not so obstruct slot 34. The inner surface of key element 37 has a concave opening tool shanks 26 and 29.

Key element 37 may be releasably secured in its aforementioned first position by means of an L-shaped pin member 40 mounted for movement from a first position, wherein it perpendicularly traverses slot 36, to a second position wherein it is clear of slot 36. Pin member 40 is preferably biased by a spring 41 toward its first, slot transversing position. Key element 37 is provided with an opening 42 through which pin member 40 may pass to releasably secure the key in its first position wherein it obstructs slot 34.

Preliminary to the opening of a taphole, chuck 19 is mounted with the threaded shankpiece 18 of drill 16 securely accomodated in bore 32. Pin member 40 is manually moved from its first position to its open, second position, permitting key element 37 to be manually pivoted to a position wherein it does not obstruct slot 34. The flanged shank 26 of a drill bit may then be received within bore 33, flange 27 passing through slot 34. Upon such receipt of bit shank 26, key element 37 is pivoted to its first position, wherein its obstructs slot 34, thus securing and preventing removal of shank 26 by blocking passage of shank flange 27 through slot 34.

Drill bit shaft 23 is supported at a point along its length in the slot of slotted guide member 20a (FIGS. 1 and 6). Rail 17 is then positioned adjacent taphole 1 1 and plug 14 is drilled out until skull portion 21 is reached. Rail 17 is thereafter moved away from taphole l1 and drill bit 20 is removed from chuck 19 by performing in reverse order the above-described steps for securing it in chuck 19.

Upon removal of bit 20, a poking bar 22 may be inserted in chuck 19 the manner described for inserting a drill bit 20. Rail 17 is repositioned adjacent taphole 11 and poking bar 22 is employed to break through skull 21. Rail 17 is then ordinarily moved away from taphole 11 and repositioned there only in the event that it is necessary to re-open the taphole if occluded by coke and slag.

The advantages of the use of the present invention are manifold. The lifespan of drill bits has been incidentally extended. Prior to the invention it has been the practice to employ the bit 20 to remove as much as possible of plug 14 leaving as little as possible of skull 21 for manual poking. Quite often this practice results in damage to the bit if it comes too close to the molten metal. Because manual poking is obviated through use ofthe present invention, drilling may be halted far short of damage to the bit without substantial loss in the total time needed for the entire taphole opening procedure.

The consumption of poking bars has been substantially diminished through the use of the present invention. This is due to the greater control over the position of the poking bar which is possible when it is moved by the drill rather than manually.

Use of the present invention has unexpectedly heightened morale and enhanced productivity of casthouse working crews due to the virtual elimination of the hazards attendant manual poking of the skull.

Lastly, use of the present invention greatly speeds up the entire taphole-opening operation.

Modification and variations of the above-described invention may occur to those skilled in the art and, to the extent that such variations incorporate the spirit of this invention, they are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination:

a drill having a drill shankpiece;

a taphole-opening tool having a flanged shank; and,

a chuck comprising a chuck body having first and second opposed end portions, said chuck body including:

' a. means, disposed at the first end portion of said chuck body, for receiving said drill shankpiece;

b. means, disposed at the second end portion of said chuck body, for receiving said flanged, taphole-opening tool shank; and,

c. means for releasably securing the flanged, taphole-opening tool shank in said tool shankreceiving means.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said tool is a tubular drill bit.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said tool is a poking bar.

4. A chuck as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for receiving said flanged, taphole-opening tool shank includes slot means in said chuck body for receiving said flanged shank.

5. A chuck as set forth in claim 4 and further including means, interconnecting said drill shankpiece receiving means and said flanged, taphole-opening tool shank receiving means, for permitting air to pass through said chuck body.

6. A chuck for use with blast furnace tapholeopening apparatus including, (1) a drill having a drill shankpiece, and (2) a taphole-opening tool having a flanged shank, said chuck comprising:

a second opening in said key, laterally opposed to said first opening, through which said spring-biased pin member may pass.

8. A chuck as set forth in claim 6 wherein said means a chuck body having first and second opposed end portions, said chuck body including: a. first axial bore means, at said first opposed end portion, extending longitudinally in said chuck body for receiving said drill shankpiece;

5 for releasably securing said tool shank comprises:

a lateral slot in said chuck body, extending from the surface thereof to intersect at least a portion of said second axial bore;

a key member having a pair of opposite ends and b. second axial bore means, at said second opposed 10 inner and outer surfaces;

end portion, extending longitudinally in said means for mounting said key member in said lateral chuck body for receiving said taphole-opening slot for movement between a first or closed positool having a flanged shank; tion, wherein said key member obstructs said longic. a longitudinal slot extending inwardly from the tudinal slot and blocks the passage of said tool surface of said chuck body to intersect said secshank flange therethrough, and a second or open ond axial bore, said slot comprising means for acposition wherein said key member does not obcommodating the flange of said tool shank; struct said lateral slot and said passage of said tool d. third axial bore means extending longitudinally shank flange is permitted therethrough; and,

in said chuck body and interconnecting said first means for releasably securing said key member in and second axial bores and having a lesser diamesaid first position thereof. ter thann either of said first or second bores, said 9. A chuck as set forth in claim 8 wherein said means third axial bore comprising means for permitting for mounting said key member comprises: the passage of air therethrough; and, a pin member extending perpendicularly across said e. means for releasably securing said flanged, talateral slot; and,

phole-opening tool shank in said longitudinal a first opening in said key member, located at the first tool slot.

end of said key member, and including means for 7. A chuck as set out in claim 6 wherein said means for releasably securing said key member in a closed position comprises:

a spring-biased pin member and means mounting said pin member for movement between a first normally closed position, perpendicularly traversing said lateral slot, to a second, open position wherein it does receiving said pin to rotatably mount said key member for rotation solely about the axis of said pm.

10. A chuck as set forth in claim 8 wherein said key comprises a concave edge located along the inner surface of said key member to permit said key member to be releasably secured in said closed position.

not so traverse said slot; and

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. I --3 2 7 DATED January 28, 1975 |NVENTOR(S) Gilbert R. Broom It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 5, line 27; "6" should be --8-.

Signed and Sealed this Third Day of May 1917 [SEAL] A ms t:

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer Commissioner nflarenrx and Trademarks 

1. In combination: a drill having a drill shankpiece; a taphole-opening tool having a flanged shank; and, a chuck comprising a chuck body having first and second opposed end portions, said chuck body including: a. means, disposed at the first end portion of said chuck body, for receiving said drill shankpiece; b. means, disposed at the second end portion of said chuck body, for receiving said flanged, taphole-opening tool shank; and, c. means for releasably securing the flanged, taphole-opening tool shank in said tool shankreceiving means.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said tool is a tubular drill bit.
 3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said tool is a poking bar.
 4. A chuck as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for receiving said flanged, taphole-opening tool shank includes slot means in said chuck body for receiving said flanged shank.
 5. A chuck as set forth in claim 4 and further including means, interconnecting said drill shankpiece receiving means and said flanged, taphole-opening tool shank receiving means, for permitting air to pass through said chuck body.
 6. A chuck for use with blast furnace taphole-opening apparatus including, (1) a drill having a drill shankpiece, and (2) a taphole-opening tool having a flanged shank, said chuck comprising: a chuck body having first and second opposed end portions, said chuck body including: a. first axial bore means, at said first opposed end portion, extending longitudinally in said chuck body for receiving said drill shankpiece; b. second axial bore means, at said second opposed end portion, extending longitudinally in said chuck body for receiving said taphole-opening tool having a flanged shank; c. a longitudinal slot extending inwardly from the surface of said chuck body to intersect said second axial bore, said slot comprising means for accommodating the flange of said tool shank; d. third axial bore means extending longitudinally in said chuck body and interconnecting said first and second axial bores and having a lesser diameter thann either of said first or second bores, said third axial bore comprising means for permitting the passage of air therethrough; and, e. means for releasably securing said flanged, taphole-opening tool shank in said longitudinal tool slot.
 7. A chuck as set out in claim 6 wherein said means for releasably securing said key member in a closed position comprises: a spring-biased pin member and means mounting said pin member for movement between a first normally closed position, perpendicularly traversing said lateral slot, to a second, open position wherein it does not so traverse said slot; and a second opening in said key, laterally opposed to said first opening, through which said spring-biased pin member may pass.
 8. A chuck as set forth in claim 6 wherein said means for releasably securing said tooL shank comprises: a lateral slot in said chuck body, extending from the surface thereof to intersect at least a portion of said second axial bore; a key member having a pair of opposite ends and inner and outer surfaces; means for mounting said key member in said lateral slot for movement between a first or closed position, wherein said key member obstructs said longitudinal slot and blocks the passage of said tool shank flange therethrough, and a second or open position wherein said key member does not obstruct said lateral slot and said passage of said tool shank flange is permitted therethrough; and, means for releasably securing said key member in said first position thereof.
 9. A chuck as set forth in claim 8 wherein said means for mounting said key member comprises: a pin member extending perpendicularly across said lateral slot; and, a first opening in said key member, located at the first end of said key member, and including means for receiving said pin to rotatably mount said key member for rotation solely about the axis of said pin.
 10. A chuck as set forth in claim 8 wherein said key comprises a concave edge located along the inner surface of said key member to permit said key member to be releasably secured in said closed position. 